Floribunda rose plant named &#39;GRAcha&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘GRAcha’ is a new and distinct floribunda type  Rosa  hybrid plant which is characterized by the combination of an upright to semi-weeping growth habit, very high resistance to  Diplocarpon rosae  and  Sphaerotheca pannosa , nearly continuous flowering, electric mid pink double-type flowers, a strong rose fragrance, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation. The new cultivar is generally suited to landscape applications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/626,746 filed Feb. 6, 2018, which is herein incorporated byreference.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and speciesof the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrid disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘GRAcha’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘GRAcha’ is a seedling selection which resulted from thecontrolled cross-pollination of an unnamed Rosa hybrid female breedingline (not patented) and an unnamed Rosa hybrid male breeding line (notpatented). Both parents, developed by the same inventor and nevercommercially released, exhibited traits deemed commercially significantand desirable.

After many years of trialing, the female parent was confirmed to possessa combination of desirable traits such as complete resistance to roseblack spot disease, complete resistance to powdery mildew, and flowerswith a strong citrus-like perfume borne on a bushy plant growing to 1.2m tall and wide. The male parent was selected for use in breeding aftertrialing confirmed the presence of strong true-rose perfume and abright, modern flower color. During the summer of 2010, the femaleparent was emasculated and was manually pollinated with pollen from themale parent. In autumn of 2010, seed was collected from hips produced bythe female parent and a number of seedlings were grown to a mature size,including the claimed plant. These progeny were further evaluated fordesirable traits such as black spot disease resistance and strongperfume, and in June of 2011 the claimed plant was first observed. InJanuary of 2013, after further evaluation for desirable traits, theclaimed plant was deemed to be garden-worthy and suited to widespreadcultivation. It was given the denomination, ‘GRAdkpk’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual propagation of ‘GRAdkpk’, by way ofsoftwood stem cuttings, was first performed in September of 2011 at theinventor's nursery in Highfields, Australia. Through more than twelvesubsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have provento be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed andrepresent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa cultivar‘GRAcha’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘GRAcha’ as a newand distinct cultivar.

1. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAcha’ exhibits an upright to semi-weeping growthhabit; and

2. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAcha’ exhibits very high resistance to rose black spotdisease (Diplocarpon rosae) and powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa);and

3. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAcha’ exhibits nearly continuous flowering; and

4. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAcha’ exhibits a very double flower type; and

5. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAcha’ exhibits electric pink flowers which fade tomauve pink; and

6. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAcha’ exhibits flowers with a strong rose fragrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary 24 month old‘GRAcha’ plant grown outdoors at the inventor's commercial nursery inHighfields, Australia.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage andflower of ‘GRAcha’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations and measurements, made in February of 2018,describe averages of two own-root specimens of one year old ‘GRAcha’plants. The plants were grown outdoors in a garden bed of red krasnozemsoil type, at the inventor's nursery in Highfields, Australia. No shadeor supplemental light was provided. Temperatures ranged fromapproximately 17 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 7 to 18degrees Celsius at night. Standard practices for irrigation, fertilizerand pest control were applied at appropriate times during the growingseason. The plants were pruned three times during the growing seasonusing accepted techniques for rose pruning.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘GRAcha’ hasnot been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2007 Fifth Edition except where commonterms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘GRAcha’ and comparisons with the parents andthe most similar commercial cultivar of Rosa hybrid are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Upright to semi-weeping.        -   Growth rate.—Approximately 1 years to reach 60 cm.        -   Dimensions.—120 cm tall and 100 cm wide.        -   Environmental tolerance.—Very good heat tolerance; cold            hardiness is unknown.        -   Disease resistance.—Very high resistance to powdery mildew            (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and blackspot (Diplocarpon rosae).        -   Propagation.—Technique — Softwood stem cuttings. Time to            initiate roots — About 13 days at approximately 21 degrees            Celsius at root zone and 18 degrees Celsius ambient            temperature. Time to produce a rooted cutting — About 25            days at approximately 21 degrees Celsius at root zone and 18            degrees Celsius ambient temperature.-   Root system: White fibrous roots with many root hairs extending from    lesser roots in a featherlike arrangement.-   Branches:    -   -   Branching habit.—Irregular branching from mature branches,            breaking first from the uppermost buds near the apex of each            shoot.        -   Quantity.—Numerous.        -   General dimensions.—Approximately 21 cm long; 0.7 cm in            diameter near the base and tapering to 0.4 cm.        -   Immature branches.—Diameter — Approximately 0.7 cm. Texture            and pubescence — Smooth with prickles. Color — Near RHS            142B.with anthocyanin present. Prickles. — Density —            Moderate.N43C. Shape — Convex. Texture — Smooth.        -   Mature branches.—Diameter — Approximately 0.7 cm, after one            year. Texture and pubescence — Smooth with prickles;            glabrous. Color — Near RHS 144D. Prickles. — Density —            Moderate. Color — Near RHS 29B. Shape — Convex. Texture —            Smooth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate imparipinnate compound leaves.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 10 per mature branch.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Leaf internode length.—3.5 cm.        -   Dimensions.—Approximately 8 cm long and 7 cm wide.        -   Petiole.—Dimensions — Average of 3.0 cm long and 0.1 cm            wide. Color — Near RHS 144C. Texture and pubescence — Rough            and glabrous. Prickles — Small blunt prickle is present.            Stipitate glands — Not present.        -   Stipule.—Dimensions — 1.5 cm long and 0.7 cm wide. Color —            Near RHS 144A. Texture and pubescence — Smooth and glabrous.            Margins — Ciliate. Apex — Apiculate. Base — winged. Prickles            — Not present. Stipitate glands — Not present.        -   Rachis.—Dimensions — 2.0 cm long and 0.2 cm wide. Color —            Near RHS 146B. Prickles — Present. Stipitate glands — Not            present.        -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Five leaflets on axillary leaves.            Dimensions — Average size of the terminal leaflet is 4.0 cm            long and 3.0 cm wide. Shape — Ovate. Apex — Acuminate. Base            — Ovate. Margins — Serrated. Texture, pubescence and luster,            adaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous, and matte. Texture,            pubescence and luster, abaxial surface — Rough, glabrous,            and matte. Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface — Near            RHS 143A, with anthocyanin intonations, near RHS 53A, at the            margins and midrib. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface            — Near RHS 143D, with anthocyanin intonations, RHS 53A.            Mature foliage color, adaxial surface — Near RHS N138A.            Mature foliage color, abaxial surface — Near RHS 139D.            Venation — Pinnate. Venation color, adaxial surface — Near            RHS N141D. Venation color, abaxial surface — Near RHS 144C.            Petiolule. — Dimensions — 0.3 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color            — Near RHS 144C. Prickles — Not present. Texture — Smooth.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal corymb consisting of            approximately 2 to 6 pedicellate flowers.        -   Blooming habit.—Almost continuous from October through June            in the southern hemisphere.        -   Time to flower.—6 to 8 weeks for a new stem to mature and            flowering begins to occur once a stem matures.        -   Dimensions.—12 cm from the base of the lowest pedicel to the            farthest distal flower and the width from farthest            outstretched flower on one side of the inflorescence to the            farthest outstretched flower on the opposite side is 18 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — 5 cm long and 0.2 cm in diameter.            Color — Near RHS 144D. Strength — Rigid. Texture and            pubescence — Rough; with hairs. Prickles — None present.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Size.—2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter.        -   Color.—Near RHS 137D.-   Flower:    -   -   Pedicel.—Dimensions — 5 cm. Color — Near RHS 144B. Strength            — Rigid. Texture — Rough with hairs.        -   Calyx.—        -   General.—Comprised of five polysepalous sepals, with strong            foliaceous appendages present on all sepals.        -   Diameter of calyx.—0.8 cm.        -   Sepals.—Color, interior surface — RHS 144D. Color, exterior            surface — RHS 144B. Dimensions — 2.0 cm long and 0.7 cm            wide. Apex — Acuminate. Base — Flat at junction with            receptacle. Quantity — Five. Pubescence — Densely            puberulent. Margins — Two to three foliaceous appendages.            Stipitate glands — None present.        -   Corolla.—General shape of corolla — Cupped and well-rounded            at anthesis; aging to a flat whorl. Rate of opening — 6 days            from bud to anthesis. Dimensions — Approximately 7 cm in            diameter and 6 cm deep. Fragrance — Strong rose scent.            Lastingness — On the plant for 5 days after anthesis.            Persistence — Self-cleaning. Petals. — Petal count —            Exhibits very double flowers with approximately 70 petals            under normal conditions. Petal arrangement — Irregularly            rounded whorl, with loose outer whorl. Dimensions — 3.5 cm            long and 3.0 cm wide. Petal shape — Obovate. Apex — Rounded            to cordate. Base — Flattened, then obtuse. Petal reflex —            Slightly reflexed at apex. Petal margin — Entire; slightly            undulating. Texture — Soft. Aspect — Slightly ruffled. Petal            color, upon opening. — Upper surface — Near RHS N66B. Lower            surface — Near RHS 64C. Petal color, at anthesis. — Upper            surface — Near RHS N66C. Lower surface — Near RHS 68D.            Fading — Near RHS 65B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 50. Anthers. — Shape —            Narrow ovate. Length — 0.1 cm. Color — Near RHS 21B. Pollen            — Many. Pollen Color — Near RHS 3A. Filaments. — Color —            Near RHS 8D. Length — Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Pistils.—Quantity — Approximately 50. Length — Approximately            0.8 cm. Stigma. — Shape — Ovate. Color — Near RHS 11B.            Style. — Length — Approximately 0.3 cm long. Color — Near            RHS 18D.        -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 0.5 cm long and 0.3 cm wide. Color —            Near RHS 3D.        -   Receptacle.—Shape — Pitcher-shaped. Dimensions — 0.5 cm high            and 0.5 cm wide. Color — Near RHS 137D.-   Hip and seed:    -   -   Hip.—Shape — Rounded. Dimensions — 1.5 cm long and 1.5 cm            wide. Texture — Smooth. Color — Near RHS 142B. Seed — Not            present.-   Comparisons with the parents: The new rose plant ‘GRAcha’ may be    distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed breeding line, by the    following combination of characteristics: 1.The flowers of ‘GRAcha’    exhibit a distinct electric pink general tonality with a rounded    form with a very large number pf petals forming a flattish whorl for    some period of time after anthesis, whereas the flowers of the seed    parent exhibit a soft pink general tonality and loose, open    flowers. 2. ‘GRAcha’ exhibits an upright to semi-weeping growth    habit, whereas the seed parent exhibits an upright growth habit. The    new rose plant ‘GRAcha’ may be distinguished from its pollen parent,    an unnamed breeding line, by the following combination of    characteristics: 1. The flowers of ‘GRAdkpk’ exhibit a distinct    electric pink general tonality with a rounded form and center petals    forming a flattish whorl for some period of time after anthesis,    whereas the flowers of the pollen parent exhibit a purple general    tonality . 2. ‘GRAdkpk’ exhibits an upright to semi-weeping growth    habit, whereas the pollen parent exhibits an upright growth    habit. 3. ‘GRAdkpk’ exhibits juvenile foliage colored near RHS 143A    with anthocyanin intonations, whereas the pollen parent exhibits    juvenile foliage colored near RHS 137C with no anthocyanin    intonations.-   Comparisons with the most similar variety of common knowledge:    Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRAcha’ may be distinguished from the    commercial variety Rosa hybrid ‘GRAppl’ (U.S. Pat. No. 26,364) by    the following combination of characteristics: 1. The flowers of    ‘GRAdcha’ exhibit a distinct electric pink general tonality, whereas    the flowers of ‘GRAppl’ exhibit a purple general tonality. 2.    ‘GRAcha’ exhibits a petal count of approximately 36 petals, whereas    ‘GRAppl’ typically possesses 70 petals. 3. ‘GRAcha’ exhibits mature    leaves that are strongly bullate whereas mature leaves of GRAppl are    only slightly bullate.

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rosa hybridplant named ‘GRAcha’, as described and illustrated herein.